Description of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of and limit access to student educational records. FERPA grants to students certain rights, privileges and protections relative to the identifiable information contained within their educational records maintained by the University. Specifically:

  • Students have some control over the disclosure of information. A student’s educational records (with the exception of directory information) will be released to third parties outside the University only with the consent of the student.
  • Students have the right to inspect, review and request amendment of their educational records.
  • Students have the right to challenge information contained within their educational records.
  • Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if they believe their rights under FERPA are violated.

Educational records covered by FERPA include grades, housing information, financial status, results of disciplinary proceedings, etc. FERPA does not apply to Medical, Disability and Counseling records, which are confidential and protected.

FERPA permits the release of directory-type information to third parties outside the institution without written consent. Students may file a request for non-disclosure of Student Directory Information, meaning no information, including directory information, will be released, except as required by law by emailing: admissions@uxvuniversity.com. This means that the University cannot verify enrollment and degrees earned requests from potential employers or insurance companies. Requests from the student for Enrollment Verifications or Transcripts may be honored regardless of the hold with verified student authorization. Requests for non-disclosure remain in effect even after graduation and may be rescinded with a verified signature. For students who have rescinded their Non-disclosure and left the University, it can only be reinstated if the individual re-enrolls.

Directory information includes

  • Name
  • UVU e-mail or box address
  • Campus, school, or college attended
  • Course of study and areas of specialization
  • Dates admitted, attended, and graduated
  • Enrollment and class status (freshman, senior, full-time, part-time, etc.)
  • Degrees sought or earned and dates received or anticipated
  • Awards, honors, and special programs or recognitions

The following is also included as Directory Information, but is only released for compelling reasons and only with advance approval of the Registrar, Provost or their designee:

  • Permanent or local mailing addresses and telephone numbers
  • Non-UVU email addresses or account information
  • Date of birth
  • Factual disciplinary history, including the results of disciplinary processes or the fact that action was pending at the time of withdrawal
  • Information from public sources

Directory information cannot include a student’s identification number or social security number, race, ethnicity, nationality or gender.

To request Non-Disclosure of Directory Information:
A student must submit a request for non-disclosure of directory information by emailing: admissions@uxvuniversity.com.

Non-directory information contained within a student’s educational record may include grades, GPA, disciplinary proceedings, and social security and student numbers. Disclosure of non-directory, personally identifiable information requires student consent. This means that the University must withhold such information from parents and others, who believe their relationship with the student entitles them to have the information (even on occasions when the student prefers the information be released), if consent for release is not given.

Consent for release is not required for disclosure:

  • to school officials, including the National Student Clearinghouse, with legitimate educational interests;
  • to state, federal and local authorities conducting audits, evaluations or enforcement of education programs, or to organizations working on their behalf;
  • to accrediting organizations;
  • in connection with financial aid;
  • to parents of a dependent child when the most recent tax return is provided;
  • in compliance with a lawfully issued subpoena;
  • in a health or safety emergency.

Student Identity Verification Policy

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that UVU operates in compliance with the provisions of the United States Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) concerning the verification of student identity in distance education.

The HEOA requires that institutions offering distance education or correspondence courses or programs have processes in place to ensure that the student registering for a course is the same student who participates in the course or receives course credit. The Act requires that institutions use one of the following three methods:

  • A secure login and pass code;
  • Proctored examinations; and
  • New or other technologies and practices that are effective in verifying student identification.

Compliance:

All students at UVU are provided with secure access to Canvas (UVU’s online course management system).

Students are responsible for providing their complete and true identity information in any identification verification process. It is against University policy for a user to give someone his or her password or to allow others to use his or her account. All users of the University’s learning management system are responsible for maintaining the security of passwords, or any other access credentials as required. Attempting to discover another user’s password or attempts to gain unauthorized access to another person’s files or email is prohibited.

At this time there are no additional student fees associated with student verification. In the event any verification fee is needed, it will be posted on the UVU website and in all published materials.

UVU complies fully with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. 1232g. This act protects the privacy of student information in distance education by requiring, with certain limited exceptions, that the student’s consent must be obtained before disclosing any personally identifiable information in the student’s education records.